ZD Wines and Patrick Dempsey Host Napa Valley Fundraiser Benefiting Cancer Charities October 18th, 2014

Set to be hosted by ZD Wines and Patrick Dempsey in California’s world-renowned Napa Valley on Oct. 18, the inaugural Crush Challenge presented by Amgen is a wine, food and cycling experience benefiting three outstanding charities; the deLeuze Family Endowment for a Non-Toxic Cure for Lymphoma, the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing and Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer®. All net revenue from ticket sales and silent auction proceeds will be passed on to these charities to help raise awareness for each cause.

“ZD Wines looks forward to bringing a unique mix of food, wine, cycling and fellowship to the Napa Valley this October for the Crush Challenge presented by Amgen,” said Brett deLeuze, second generation vintner and ZD Wines President. “We are thrilled to continue our growing partnership with the Dempsey family and the Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. I can’t think of a better way to champion awareness for our causes— the deLeuze Family Endowment for a Non-Toxic Cure for Lymphoma, the Dempsey Center and Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® alike.”

Three experiences are available through the Crush Challenge presented by Amgen. The all-inclusive package features a wine dinner at ZD’s historic Carneros estate property overlooking its reserve vineyard in Napa. Each course will be crafted by one of six chefs, from Quinn Hatfield of Michelin-starred restaurant Hatfield’s in Los Angeles to Sean Massey of Morimoto Napa. Pairings will highlight carefully selected vintages of ZD Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Abacus, the winery’s exclusive solera-style Cabernet Sauvignon.

By day, the all-inclusive ticket includes a farm-to-table lunch prepared by Chef Tyler Rodde of Napa’s Oenotri, preceded by either: 1. a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting at ZD’s Rutherford Estate winery led by founding family members, the winemaker and celebrity guest Carl Weathers, or 2. a private Napa Valley cycling excursion during Napa’s grape harvest, led by Patrick Dempsey and cycling legends Bob Roll, Levi Leipheimer and Christian Vande Velde. Tickets for this all-inclusive package are highly limited and are offered at $1500 per person.

For those eager to support the causes behind this inaugural event but who will be unavailable for dinner, two package options for the daytime activities are available. Tickets for the behind-the-scenes tasting plus the Oenotri lunch are offered at $200 per person, limited to 30 guests. Tickets for the cycling excursion and Oenotri lunch are $300 per person, with 100 seats available. All cyclists will receive a special edition event jersey provided by Hincapie Sportswear.

“Amgen is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Crush Challenge,” said Richard Paulson, Vice President of Marketing for Amgen Oncology. “Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® initiative, which supports the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing, and the deLeuze Family Foundation all complement each other and are focused on helping cancer patients get the support, education and wellness services they need.”

Learn more about the Crush Challenge presented by Amgen on our website, www.crushchallenge.org. Tickets are available by clicking here, or by contacting Dustin Moilanen, ZD Wines Hospitality Director, at Dustin@ZDWines.com or 800-487-7757.